textproduct: Quad Cities

KEY MESSAGES

- Wind chills will be the main story this morning, and to a certain degree all day. Prior to Noon, widespread -15 to -25 wind chills are expected, with some isolated near -30 readings possible around sunrise to 9 AM.

- Below normal temperatures will continue this week, with several nights nearing Cold Weather Advisory criteria especially north of Hwy 30.

- A chance for a weak clipper or two to scoot by somewhere in the vicinity of the area, otherwise a mainly dry week ahead.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY/

Issued at 143 AM CST Mon Jan 26 2026

Clear skies, cold advection and snow cover (or at least not to far away snow cover) is helping temperatures drop to the +/- single digits near zero so far this morning, and with the slow drop in temperatures, we're likely going to see the day start off in the -2 to -10 range. This cold will combine with northwest winds of 5 to 10 mph, to bring hazardous wind chills early. Though temperatures will rise above zero by 9-11 am in most locations, we're still running the advisory through Noon, as winds today will increase quite a bit after sunrise to the 15 to 20 mph range, which will hold wind chills in the -10 to -22 range for all morning before finally rising to the +single digits and low teens this afternoon.

The transition out (and shortly back into it) of Arctic air will result in breezy conditions from mid afternoon through tonight, and turning northwest and gusty through much of Tuesday speeds generally 15 to 20 mph, gusting to 30-35 mph. Any loose snow, albeit not widespread with much depth, will probably drift around during this period. However, in this energetic flow pattern, we're not actually getting out of the cold air, but seeing a short "warm nose" tonight ahead of the next Arctic high pressure arriving in the Midwest.

LONG TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY/

Issued at 143 AM CST Mon Jan 26 2026

Northwest flow is expected to last through the next week, with temperatures continuing well below normal, though not nearly as cold as it was a few days ago. This pattern will offer quick transitions much like we're seeing Tonight into Tuesday, which will bring gusty winds, and if timed into the morning hours, could offer some wind chill related hazards and headlines. For now, our forecast is dry, wit the exception of a low 20-30% chance for snow Saturday night and Sunday. This outer period suggests moderation, as does the week 2 CPC outlook for our region, however some models including the 00z EC continue the western ridge/eastern trof at upper levels beyond this weekend, which is of course is February and beyond our climatological coolest period.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z TUESDAY/

Issued at 455 AM CST Mon Jan 26 2026

VFR conditions will prevail through the TAF period, with main concerns revolving around winds. We will start the day with northwesterly winds around 10 KTs, slowly shifting southwesterly through the day. We can expect gusts between 20-25 KTs this afternoon as the pressure gradient tightens overhead. After 00z, there will be the chance for LLWS. Otherwise, no sig wx is expected at this time.

DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

IA...Cold Weather Advisory until noon CST today for IAZ040>042- 051>054-063>068-076>078-087>089-098-099. IL...Cold Weather Advisory until noon CST today for ILZ001-002-007- 009-015>018-024>026-034-035. MO...Cold Weather Advisory until noon CST today for MOZ009-010.